"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." William Butler Yeats
My Promise to Parents
Parents - I couldn’t do it without you! Our relationship is just as important as my relationship with your child. I strive to be a trusted academic advisor for families navigating complex school decisions, and I am committed to keeping you informed with each and every lesson and activity while making it easy for you to help your children apply what they learn in their daily lives. As a classroom teacher, the relationships I built with parents were invaluable, and I have been incredibly fortunate that the parents of my students have always been warm, supportive, and welcoming.
In addition to my classroom teaching experience, I have years of experience as a former High School Admissions and Academic Guidance coordinator. Working closely with students and their families, school staff members, and representatives from independent school partnership programs requires the utmost mutual trust. I have had significant success placing rising middle and high school students into highly competitive scholarship programs, affording them the opportunity to attend some of the nation’s top private schools.
I have been tutoring students privately since 2016 and bring over a decade of experience in ELA and literacy instruction, SAT/ACT and SSAT/ISEE test preparation, executive functioning coaching, and enrichment for gifted and high-achieving students. I left the traditional classroom in 2020 to pursue tutoring full time, which allows me to give parents and students truly individualized attention and fully tailored lessons and guidance.
With experience on both sides of the process, I help parents advocate effectively for their children. Whether that means navigating an IEP, preparing for a high-stakes test, or finding the right school, I work alongside families as a partner in their child's growth. I also communicate with classroom teachers when appropriate to maintain continuity between tutoring and the classroom and to ensure students receive consistent support.
It is a privilege to guide families through the high school and college application process and scholarship opportunities - one that I do not take lightly. It truly takes a village!
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe students learn best when they feel safe, supported, and genuinely encouraged. My approach is rooted in positive reinforcement and the understanding that confidence grows through effort, reflection, and curiosity. When students feel recognized for their progress, they are more willing to take risks, ask questions, and engage meaningfully with their learning. I take a holistic approach to teaching, supporting the whole child rather than focusing on academics in isolation. Alongside reading and writing skills, I intentionally build executive functioning skills such as organization, planning, time management, and self reflection. These skills help students become more independent, confident learners both inside and outside the classroom. My teaching is guided by constructivist principles, encouraging students to actively build understanding through discussion, exploration, and discovery. I also believe strongly in collaboration, and value working alongside parents, teachers, and other important adults in a student’s life to ensure consistent support and shared goals. Above all, I want students to see learning as something they do, not something that is done to them. By nurturing curiosity, independence, and self-trust, my goal is to help students grow academically, emotionally, and as lifelong learners.